WDSmart

I agree with some of what you wrote above. My suggestion has always been a UN-enforced negotiation based on the 1948/1949 UN-suggested division of land between Israel and Palestine. Neither side would like that now, but I believe it's the only place to start. It would be ludicrous to start with the division as it is now.

I agree that Netanyahu and most of his government are right-wing, nationalistic, religious fanatics who are moving forward to claim ALL of the "Promised Land" they think they were given by some delusional "god."

Israel and Palestine should come to a two-state agreement.

I agree with all of the above, but I would add that all those who invaded Gaza or were responsible for the indiscriminate bombing and interference with food distribution should be held accountable for their actions and crimes and face justice.

Me too, this is the most astonishing matter to come out of this war. What I have learned after Oct 7 and has certainly opened my eyes is the astounding and disappointing degree of misplaced and deflective self-pity that pro-Israelis on this topic, and presumably, Israelis also, have.

Yes. I would not want any member of a group killed because the group committed atrocities unless that individual was tried and convicted. Just because you belong to a group like the above, or now of Hamas or the IDF, doesn't mean you deserve to be killed.

Yes, that's the childish "He hit me first!" excuse. I acknowledge a response to Oct 7 was warranted, but it's now way past time for a settlement to this "war."

So does that mean "an immediate ceasefire" is not a condition of the "unconditional release of the hostages"?

No, it was Hamas on Oct 7. It was the IDF on Oct 8 and onward to today.

Oh, no, not another. "Others have annihilated people in the past, so it's okay for Israel to do it now."

No, I do not support those who killed all those people in Moscow recently. But, of course, that was not nearly as many as the IDF have killed in Gaza.

Well, I agree with the first half of your statement...

If the state of Israel was eliminated, there would be no repeat of Oct 7 either, right?

And how is that different than "this story"?

It's better to be a fool than a ravager.

I want Hamas to survive. I want all Palestinians to survive. And, yes, I want Israelis to survive also.

Wrong. After six weeks and the return of all hostages, the need to start (continue with) the war again would be twofold: revenge and total control of Gaza.

If that's what you call defending your people... I would also call him Netanyahu. There is a simple name for people like him, but I've been forbidden to use it anymore on this forum.

Yes, at first, a really good proposal is not acceptable to either side because it requires both sides to compromise on their demands. That's what negotiations are all about. I do play the guitar, but I just looked up the chords to John Lennon's "Imagine," and they are too complex for me. The three most accomplished pieces I play are "California Dreaming," "Rebel, Rebel," and "Third-Rate Romance," all of which might be appropriate when presenting my proposal.

It is worth repeating because other proposal versions, like the current UN one, are continually put up. They contain different conditions. Repeating these is like tapping you on the shoulder and reminding you that these are the conditions that need to be in the proposal, not any new combination of conditions.

Yes! Netanyahu is likely to agree to a ceasefire in exchange for hostages, and then after he gets all the hostages, he proceeds to go into Rafah.

They are well worth repeating. I think when all this is done, you'll find out my recommendations will be the ones that are finally enacted.

Any proposal like this needs to have ALL the following conditions: - Permanent ceasefire and withdrawal of all IDF troops; - Exchange of all hostages and prisoners; - UN-enforced talks with the goal of creating a two-state solution; - A UN-sponsored peacekeeping force on-site to help with food distribution, building restoration, and enforcement of all conditions.

An immediate release of all hostages should be conditional on an exchange for all prisoners, and the ceasefire should be permanent and include a withdrawal of all IDF troops.

I don't think the IDF has "Created a New Standard for Urban Warfare." Decimating cities and villages while committing genocide has been done since Genghis Khan.